Tinubu gives ICPC 30 days to unravel PFIPC scam

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the activities of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), describing the body as fictitious and unknown to the Federal Government.

The directive, contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, mandates the anti-graft agency to conclude its investigation and submit a comprehensive report within 30 days.

According to the Presidency, the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government and has no legal backing, presidential approval, executive instrument or any lawful basis for its existence.

The statement alleged that one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the council and claimed to have been appointed by the President.

President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the alleged forgery of appointment letters and other official government documents, the use of the purported presidential appointment to obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation, as well as the opening of bank accounts in the names of alleged government agencies using forged documents.

The investigation will also examine the roles of any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or other entities that may have facilitated or participated in the alleged scheme, including tracing the source and movement of any funds connected to the matter.

The President further instructed the commission to identify weaknesses in government procedures that may have been exploited and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Tinubu also directed all ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government to cooperate fully with the ICPC by providing all relevant documents and information required for the investigation.

The President stressed that the integrity of the Presidency and government institutions must be protected from impersonation, forgery and abuse of official authority, adding that anyone found culpable should be prosecuted in accordance with the law.